Pic fictionalizes Peralta's 2001 docu

John Linson is producing. David Fincher, Art Linson and Joe Drake are exec producing.

Start date is set for April.

“Lords” is a fictionalized version of the 2001 documentary “Dogtown and Z-Boys,” written and directed by skateboard guru Stacy Peralta based on a Spin magazine article that explored 1970s skateboarding culture. “Lords” follows a group of young California surfers who take their style to the streets as skateboarders.

Peralta wrote the screenplay with revisions by Hardwicke.

Col production co-prexy Matt Tolmach is overseeing the pic along with exec VP of production Andrea Giannetti.

Ledger will next be seen in Focus Features’ “The Kelly Gang,” a biopic about the famed band of 19th century Irish outlaws in Australia. He also stars in “The Brothers Grimm,” a Dimension film in post-production.

The 18-year-old Robinson will play Peralta, the first skater to win a lucrative sponsorship deal. Actor starred in Gus Van Sant’s “Elephant” and recently wrapped “The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things,” Asia Argento’s adaptation of J.T. Leroy’s short story collection, which also stars Peter Fonda and Winona Ryder.

Hirsch, who stars in upcoming pic “The Girl Next Door” at Fox, will play real-life skater Jay Adams. Also upcoming for Hirsch is “The Mudge Boy,” which debuted in 2003 at Sundance, and Signature Films’ “Imaginary Heroes” with Sigourney Weaver and Jeff Daniels, now in post-production.

Rasuk starred in “Raising Victor Vargas,” last year’s festival favorite, and has a role in the upcoming Focus pic “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” alongside Jim Carey.

CAA reps Ledger, Robinson and Rasuk. Hirsch is repped by UTA.

Catherine Hardwicke won the 2003 Sundance Film Festival director’s award for “Thirteen,” which she co-wrote with Nikki Reed. She will next direct “Burden,” for producer Michael London. Pic concerns a KKK member whose racism is challenged by the woman he loves. Hardwicke is repped by ICM.